NHTSA vehicle safety data
2012 Zero Zero S Recalls & Complaints
The 2012 Zero Zero S has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Zero dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Zero Zero S. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2012 Zero Zero S owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2012 Zero Zero S, describing incidents dated June 2, 2013.
Most-cited components
- Wheels 1 complaint
The complaint on file reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #10515335 · Filed
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ZERO ZERO S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT WHEEL SUDDENLY SEIZED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER THEN CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE…
Internal Cells in Battery may Short Causing Fire
NHTSA #18V215000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery · NHTSA notice
Reported April 4, 2018 · Zero Motorcycles Inc.
Potentially affected: 218 vehicles
Repair completion: 66.51% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Zero campaign SV-ZMC-018-383 · Owners notified April 30, 2018 · Vehicles built October 21, 2011 – July 23, 2012 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Zero Motorcycles (Zero) is recalling all 2012 Zero S, Zero DS, and Zero DSP (Police) motorcycles. Cell pouches in the battery packs may wear from contact with the holders, allowing humidity to enter the pouch and cause an electrical short within the battery.
Safety consequence
An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Zero Motorcycles will notify owners and offer them a choice of either the repurchase of their motorcycle or a financial trade-assist towards a newer model year Zero Motorcycles motorcycle. The recall began on April 30, 2018. Owners may contact Zero customer service at 1-888-841-8085. Zero's number for this recall is SV-ZMC-018-383. Note: Since owners are advised to no longer ride or charge the affected motorcycles, Zero Motorcycles dealers will arrange for the collection of the affected motorcycle at no charge to the owners.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Motorcycle may Quit while Running
NHTSA #13V635000 · Electrical System — Software · NHTSA notice
Reported December 18, 2013 · Zero Motorcycles Inc.
Potentially affected: 667 vehicles
Repair completion: 79.06% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified January 14, 2014
Defect description
Zero Motorcycles Inc. (Zero) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 XU, S, DS, and model year 2013 FX motorcycles. The affected motorcycles have controller firmware that, as a result of certain system faults, may shut off power to the motor.
Safety consequence
A sudden loss of power to the motor may increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Zero will notify owners, and dealers will update the controller firmware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-January 2014. Owners may contact Zero at 1-888-786-9376.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Front Caliper Bolts May Fracture
NHTSA #13V329000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Caliper · NHTSA notice
Reported July 30, 2013 · Zero Motorcycles Inc.
Potentially affected: 268 vehicles
Repair completion: 69.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified August 16, 2013 · Vehicles built October 21, 2011 – March 8, 2012 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Zero Motorcycles is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 S and DS motorcycles. On the affected motorcycles, the front caliper mounting bolts are susceptible to corrosion which could lead to their cracking and possible fracture.
Safety consequence
If a front caliper bolt fractures, the caliper may come loose and interfere with the rotation of the front wheel. This could cause the front wheel to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Zero Motorcycles will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front caliper bolts. The recall BEGAN ON August 16, 2013. Owners may contact Zero Motorcycles at 1-888-841-8085.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Motor Encoder Position Signal/Possible Stall
NHTSA #12V455000 · Equipment — Electrical · NHTSA notice
Reported September 17, 2012 · ZERO MOTORCYCLES INC.
Potentially affected: 315 vehicles
Owners notified September 28, 2012 · Vehicles built January 12, 2012 – July 5, 2012 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Zero Motorcycles, Inc. (Zero Motorcycles) is recalling certain model year 2012 S and DS motorcycles. These motorcycles are equipped with a motor encoder position signal that may drift over the extended use of the motorcycle. If the signal drifts outside of the given parameters, the motor controller may shut off, resulting in the motorcycle inadvertently losing power.
Safety consequence
A loss of power could lead to a crash and potential injury or death of the rider.
Manufacturer remedy
Zero Motorcycles will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the motorcycle's motor controller free of charge. The safety recall began on September 28, 2012. Owners may contact Zero Motorcycles, Inc. at 1-888-786-9376.
Notes
Customers may contact The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to www.safercar.gov.
BATTERY CIRCUIT BOARD
NHTSA #12V310000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery · NHTSA notice
Reported July 2, 2012 · ZERO MOTORCYCLES INC.
Potentially affected: 254 vehicles
Owners notified July 31, 2012
Defect description
ZERO MOTORCYCLES, INC. (ZERO) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S, DS, X, XU, AND XU-LSM MOTORCYCLES. INSUFFICIENT WEATHERPROOFING MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHEN SUBJECTED TO WET CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN THE MOTORCYCLE INADVERTENTLY LOSING POWER.
Safety consequence
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER CAN LEAD TO A CRASH AND POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
Manufacturer remedy
ZERO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ZERO MOTORCYCLES, INC. AT 1-888-786-9376.
Notes
Customers may contact The National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go toHTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
NHTSA #12V307000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice
Reported June 29, 2012 · ZERO MOTORCYCLES INC.
Potentially affected: 450 vehicles
Owners notified August 3, 2012 · Vehicles built December 27, 2011 – March 14, 2012 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ZERO MOTORCYCLES, INC. (ZERO) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 S, XU, AND DS MOTORCYCLES, MODEL YEAR 2011 MXD, AND XD MOTORCYCLES AND 2012 X MOTORCYCLES. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AT THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER MAY NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL SIGNIFICANT BRAKE LEVER TRAVEL OCCURS.
Safety consequence
THE BRAKE LIGHT MAY NOT ACTIVATE WHEN A MODERATE AMOUNT OF FRONT BRAKE IS APPLIED. AS SUCH, MOTORISTS TRAVELING BEHIND THE MOTORCYCLE MAY NOT BE ALERTED WHEN AN AFFECTED MOTORCYCLE IS SLOWING DOWN, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE CRASH AND POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
Manufacturer remedy
ZERO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM BRAKE-LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 3, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ZERO MOTORCYCLES AT 1-831-438-3500.
Notes
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Check your 2012 Zero Zero S VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Zero Zero S at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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